Page 30 of War Hour

Was there really a way out of all this? For everyone?

“How?”

The one-worded question comes out, soft like a whisper.

A look of relief passes across Ardis’s face, and he looks down the hall. “We can save them, but I’ll need you with me to do it.”

Hope ignites in my chest, but I struggle with whether to trust it. The only thing I’ve ever wished for, was for someone to look at the injustice we’ve suffered and say, “It’s not right, and I’m not going to let it continue.”

For a moment, it seems like Ardis is doing just that, but how do I know that he can be trusted any more than Drytas?

I debate it for a heartbeat before I’ve decided, although there isn’t a decision to make. At least not one I could stomach. Even if working with Ardis opens Falland up to another enemy, nothing could be worse than what Drytas will do if left unchecked.

Ardis stands, bringing me up with him. “Be ready. Eat. Sleep. I need to contact someone, but as soon as I do, we’ll need to leave.” He fumbles with his shirt before pulling something out from the folds of cloth. At my first glimpse of a blade, I flinch backward on instinct until I recognize the hilt.

My dagger.

“Take this—don’t let anyone see it, but keep it on you.” He starts down the hall before turning back to me. “I’m going to stop this—we both will.”

My heart leaps in my throat, and I shout, “Ardis. You bring Thoman. I’m not leaving him here.”

Ardis’s face tightens, and he gives me a stiff nod.

“Promise you’ll bring him with us.”

When Ardis turns on his heel to walk away from me, I panic for a moment. Was he refusing to bring Thoman?

But then his voice echoes in my head.

Just be ready.

Chapter 13

The grand hall is a war zone.

Guards run the halls in groups, headed down to the streets. Orders are shouted, and no one explains what’s happening. I keep hearing them shout a protocol, but I don’t know it.

Explosions sound in the distance, and when I look out the window from the higher floors, fires burn in various streets of the city.

Belthan comes for me within minutes of the chaos unfolding. Gripping my arm hard enough to bruise, he drags me behind him.

Worst-case scenarios fly through my head. Did Ardis go to Lord Drytas? Was his offering of help yesterday nothing more than a charade to convince me to reveal something? But this feels like something more than that.

I realize Belthan plans to transport us seconds too late. I barely have the time to cinch my eyes shut to avoid the whirling dizziness that accompanied the last trip.

The same weightlessness is followed by solid ground growing under my feet. We land in the throne room, steps from Lord Drytas, who sits with his head in his hands. Belthan moves tostand beside him, announcing our arrival. “Lord Drytas, I have brought her, as you requested.”

Scanning the room, Ardis is absent from the impromptu meeting. My stomach drops at the realization.

Silence fills the room like a heavy weight, adding to my anxiety with each second that goes by. When Drytas straightens, an angry vein protrudes from his forehead as he grimaces.

“Lysta, we have a problem.” Drytas rubs his temples, drawing the skin in circles. “Do you know what that is?”

“Wh-What is that, Lord Drytas?”

My voice trembles when I speak, and trying to swallow the tension only serves to move the nerves to my throat. I try to clear it, but the thickness stays there.

“I’m sure you can understand. If we are to face the other courts, I need the Court of Valor to stand behind me.” He levels a glance at me. “And that includes the Untrialed.”

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